DOCTORS and nurses could face the sack for not washing their hands at a Greater Manchester hospital.

The move at Tameside General is part of the latest efforts to tackle the deadly MRSA superbug and follows a visit from a government hit squad.

In future, staff will be legally obliged to wash their hands regularly.

MRSA experts have recommended that clinical and administration staff who regularly visit wards have `infection prevention and control responsibilities' written into their job descriptions.

Hospital bosses say it was always possible to take disciplinary action against staff who breached hygiene policy, but the changes make the process easier and mean staff are more aware of the threat - and the ultimate sanction will be dismissal.

MRSA infection rates at Tameside have increased this year, giving the hospital the 10th worst record in the country.

Now matrons and senior doctors will carry out fortnightly checks to ensure all staff are washing their hands properly and frequently.

Infections

A team has also been set up, led by chief executive Christine Green, to check if patients have infections when admitted.

Nursing director Philip Dylak said: "Some areas for improvement have been identified and an action plan has been developed."

This year the trust has had minor outbreaks of norovirus, which causes sickness and diarrhoea, and winter vomiting on medical and orthopaedic wards.

Other trusts are also struggling with infection control. Salford and Wythenshawe hospitals have both had to close wards after serious outbreaks.